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Look, we all know self-care is important, but who actually has the time (or the energy) to spend hours on elaborate skincare routines, morning meditations, or journaling under the full moon while sipping matcha?
Not me. And I’m guessing, not you either.
Good news: self-care doesn’t have to be a full-time job. It doesn’t have to be fancy, expensive, or involve making a 45-minute trip to a yoga studio where everyone drinks green juice and pretends to love kale.
It just has to be something that makes you feel a bit more human—and it needs to fit into your life without sucking up all your time and motivation.
So, let’s talk about lazy girl self-care—the kind that actually works without requiring Olympic levels of effort. This is your boss motivation list to get yourself back on track, even if you’re a busy mom, a student, or just completely over everything.
- 1. Drop the All-or-Nothing Mindset
- 2. Hydration, But Make It Fun
- 3. Sleep: The Most Underrated Form of Self-Care
- 4. Do the Bare Minimum for Your Skin (and Feel Amazing Anyway)
- 5. Move Your Body (Without Calling It a Workout)
- 6. Dopamine Boosts That Take Less Than a Minute
- 7. Treat Yourself Like You Would Your Best Friend
- Low-Effort Self-Care Series
- Final Thoughts: Self-Care Shouldn’t Feel Like a Chore
1. Drop the All-or-Nothing Mindset
First things first: self-care isn’t an all-or-nothing game. You don’t need to have a perfect 10-step basic skin care routine or dedicate two hours a day to journaling your feelings.
Some days, self-care is a full-blown DIY home spa night with face masks, fluffy dressing gowns, and candles that smell like a Scandinavian forest.
Other days, it’s remembering to drink water before coffee so you don’t feel like a dehydrated raisin.
Both count.
If you need a little boost, make a self-care vision board with some vision board photos that inspire a healthy lifestyle—whether that’s a spa day, a stack of good books, or just a picture of someone drinking water like they actually enjoy it.
Lazy Girl Rule #1: Doing something is always better than doing nothing.
Want to wake up feeling like a skincare queen? Satin pillowcases help with frizz, wrinkles, and that awkward pillow-crease face. Plus, they feel fancy without the fancy price tag.
2. Hydration, But Make It Fun
Water is boring. There, I said it.
But dehydration makes you feel like a zombie, and it’s the easiest fix on this list.
Here’s how to actually drink more water without forcing yourself:
- Get a fancy water bottle. Weirdly motivating.
- Add fruit or a splash of juice.
- Set a phone reminder that says something dramatic like, “Drink water or perish.”
And if you want to feel extra aesthetic, try making your own DIY self-care recipes for infused water. Hydration, but make it girly.
Lazy Girl Rule #2: If you wouldn’t forget your morning coffee, don’t forget your water.
3. Sleep: The Most Underrated Form of Self-Care
I know, I know. You’ll go to bed earlier… right after this one last scroll through TikTok and “how to get my life together” reels.
But here’s the thing—sleep is self-care in its easiest form. You literally have to do nothing, and yet, it improves your mood, energy, skin, and metabolism without you lifting a finger.
So, let’s fix your sleep hygiene the lazy way:
- Dark room, no distractions. You don’t need blue light blasting into your retinas at midnight.
- Cosy evening ritual. A hot drink, a book, or some comfort TV (Gilmore Girls, anyone?).
- Ditch the guilt. Early bedtime equals elite-level self-care.
If you struggle with sleep, a self-care routine before bed can make all the difference. Keep it basic—shower, skincare, no screens. Done.
Lazy Girl Rule #3: Prioritise sleep like it’s your full-time job.
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4. Do the Bare Minimum for Your Skin (and Feel Amazing Anyway)
If your skincare routine currently consists of occasionally washing your face when you remember, congratulations, you’re already halfway there.
You don’t need 17 serums or a bathroom shelf that looks like a science lab. Stick to the three essentials, and you’re golden:
- Cleanser – Because washing your face with just water doesn’t count. Find one that suits your skin type and actually use it.
- Moisturiser – Keeps your skin happy and hydrated. Bonus points if it makes you feel like a dewy goddess.
- SPF – Non-negotiable. Protect your skin like it’s your full-time job. Get a moisturiser with SPF to combine two steps into one, or grab a tinted one for an easy summer glow. I love this one by CeraVe!
This CeraVe Tinted SPF is a game-changer—hydrating, lightweight, and gives the perfect glow with zero white cast. Skincare and sun protection in one easy step!
Everything else—toners, serums, essences, and face mists—is optional. If you love them, great. If they overwhelm you, skip them.
Basic doesn’t mean bad—it means efficient.
Lazy Girl Rule #4: Keep it stupidly simple.
5. Move Your Body (Without Calling It a Workout)
Exercise is great. It boosts your mood, helps with stress, and gives you those smug I’ve got my life together vibes.
But forcing yourself into hardcore workouts when you can barely be bothered to put socks on?
Not happening.
Let’s make movement fun and effortless:
- Walk and talk. Ring your girlfriends, have a gossip, and rack up your steps.
- Dance around the kitchen. Two songs equals five minutes of cardio. Sorted.
- Lazy girl gym alternative. Stretch in bed, squat while brushing your teeth, do a couple of lunges while waiting for the kettle to boil.
If you’re postpartum or having a sick day, gentle stretching can work wonders for feeling refreshed.
This Lichico Walking Pad is perfect for getting in extra steps while working, watching TV, or just avoiding bad weather! Quiet, compact, and easy to use, it’s a game-changer for staying active without the gym hassle.
Lazy Girl Rule #5: If it feels like a chore, you’re doing it wrong.
6. Dopamine Boosts That Take Less Than a Minute
Some days, self-care is just doing something tiny that makes your brain happy.
Here are instant mood-boosters for when you feel meh:
- Listen to an upbeat song you love.
- Eat a piece of dark chocolate.
- Step outside for fresh air and sunlight.
- Watch a funny video or meme.
- Try a new scent (essential oils, perfume, coffee beans).
- Write down three things you’re grateful for.
- Text a friend something kind or funny.
- Do a quick 5-minute tidy-up.
For an extra touch, add a self-care bullet journal to track these moments—nothing fancy, just a quick list of what makes you feel good.
Want an easy way to boost your mood on demand? A dopamine menu is your personalised cheat sheet for instant feel-good moments. From quick wins to cosy self-care, it’s self-care without the overthinking. Learn how to create yours!
Lazy Girl Rule #6: Self-care doesn’t have to be deep. Sometimes, it’s just doing little things that make you smile.
7. Treat Yourself Like You Would Your Best Friend
You wouldn’t let your best friend run on three hours of sleep, eat crisps for dinner, and speak to herself like a trash goblin, so stop doing it to yourself.
Talk to yourself like someone you love. Be nice to yourself. Give yourself permission to rest without guilt.
Lazy Girl Rule #7: If you wouldn’t say it to your friend, don’t say it to yourself.
Low-Effort Self-Care Series
Want to upgrade your self-care without the stress? This series is all about realistic, low-effort self-care that actually fits into your life—no guilt, no overwhelm, just small changes that make a big difference.
Explore the full Lazy Girl Self-Care Series:
- The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Self-Care: How to Feel Better with Minimal Effort (You’re here!)
- The Best 5-Minute Self-Care Hacks for Busy Women
- How to Create a Self-Care Routine That You Actually Stick To
- How to Practice Mindfulness Without Meditating for Hours
- The Best Self-Care Ideas for When You’re Burnt Out
- How to Make Exercise Feel Like Self-Care (Not a Punishment)
- The Connection Between Self-Care & Sustainable Weight Loss
- How to Prioritise Yourself Without Feeling Guilty
- How to Reset Your Life When You’re Feeling Stuck
Pick one, start small, and give yourself permission to make self-care easy.
Final Thoughts: Self-Care Shouldn’t Feel Like a Chore
You don’t need an elaborate self-care lifestyle. You just need small, feel-good habits that fit effortlessly into your life.
- Hydrate, but make it fun.
- Sleep like it’s your job.
- Move in ways that don’t feel like punishment.
- Take dopamine hits where you can.
- Be nice to yourself. Seriously.
Self-care isn’t about being perfect. It’s about doing what you can, with what you have, without making life harder than it needs to be.
And if you needed permission to embrace lazy girl self-care—you’ve got it. Now go drink some water and put on a face mask.
You deserve it.
Next up: The Best 5-Minute Self-Care Hacks for Busy Women—because self-care doesn’t have to take hours to make a difference!
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